Euonymus plant--Corpreme variety

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Euonymus fortunei which originated as a branch sport of the Corlutz variety of Euonymus fortunei (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,795) is provided. The new variety possesses foliage which exhibits a coloration substantially identical to that of the parent, but differs from the parent in several important respects, including a substantially larger leaf size. In addition, the new variety has significantly longer internodes than the parent, and exhibits a more open growth pattern than the parent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety was discovered and selected by Clifford D. Corliss, Sr.,(now deceased) of Ipswich, Mass. The variety was discovered by him as abranch sport on a plant of the Corlutz variety of Euonymus fortunei(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,795) being grown under his direction at thenursery of Corliss Bros., Inc., at Ipswich, Mass. The sporting branchexhibited a leaf size and growth characteristics which differedsignificantly from those of the parent, while maintaining substantiallythe same basic leaf coloration as the parent. This branch was preservedin order to further observe the new characteristics and to confirm thatit differs from previously reported varieties of Euonymus fortunei.

The following combination of characteristics was found to be exhibitedby the new variety:

(a) a substantially larger leaf size than both the parent and otherknown varieties of Euonymus fortunei,

(b) a leaf coloration which is dark green with light to medium yellowmargins and which is substantially the same as that of the parent,

(c) the propensity to exhibit no substantial leaf coloration changeduring the winter,

(d) a leaf internode length which is on average approximately twice aslong as that of the parent,

(e) a plant growth habit that is more open than that of the parent,

(f) an annual growth rate which is less than that of the parent as ayoung plant, but which is approximately equal to that of the parent asthe plant reaches approximately four to five years of age,

(g) the ability to thrive under a wide range of climatic conditions, and

(h) the ability to be sheared within prescribed limits or shaped to aspecific form.

Plants of the new variety two years following propagation when grown ina nursery commonly assume a height of approximately 40 to 45 cm. and awidth of approximately 30 to 45 cm. Such young plants commonly exhibit agreater height than width. Plants of the new variety which areapproximately 5 to 6 years of age when growing in the landscape commonlyassume a height of approximately 60 cm. and a width of approximately 75cm. Accordingly, the fully mature plants commonly exhibit a greaterwidth than height.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by cuttings has beenaccomplished at Ipswich, Mass., and at West Grove, Pa., over a period ofat least ten years and has demonstrated that the unique combination ofcharacteristics has been established and is transmitted to successivegenerations.

The new variety has been named the Corpreme variety, and is beingmarketed by The Conard-Pyle Company of West Grove, Pa., under EmeraldDelight trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompany photographs show typical specimens of the variety in coloras true as is reasonably possible to make the same in colorillustrations of this character. The photographs were made in latespring of a representative plant and plant parts thereof growing in thelandscape at West Grove, Pa. The estimated age of the plant shown is atleast six years.

FIG. 1 illustrates the appearance of a pair of representative plants ofthe new variety while growing side-by-side, and

FIG. 2 illustrates representative branches and plant parts of the newvariety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England. The description was made inearly spring from specimens of at least six years of age growing in alandscape situation at West Grove, Pa.

Growth habit: More open than that of the parent. The substantiallylonger internode length than the parent gives the overall plant a muchless dense appearance than the parent. The internode length commonly isapproximately twice that of the parent when mature plants are compared.

Foliage:

Type.--Broadleaf evergreen, petioled, opposite.

Shape.--Slightly variable in shape. Mostly ovate with some eliptic. Baseobtuse. Margins are slightly serrate.

Petioles.--Approximately 5 to 9 mm. in length.

Size.--Somewhat variable as other varieties of Euonymus fortunei.However, the leaf size is larger than previously known varieties. Fullyexpanded leaves commonly range in length from approximately 2.6 to 4.6cm. (e.g., approximately 3.8 cm. on average), and in width fromapproximately 1.7 to 3.3 cm. (e.g., 2.6 cm. on average).

Color-upper surface.--Immature leaves, Green Group 143A edged with amargin of Yellow-Green Group 151A to 151C, and mature leaves, GreenGroup 137A to 137B, with a margin of Yellow Group 8B or Yellow Group13B.

Color-under surface.--Duller with less color differentiation than uppersurface, commonly Green Group 137C with a margin of Yellow-Green Group154A.

Flowers: Somewhat more prevalent than on parent, appearing early in Juneat West Grove, Pa.

Hardiness: Believed to be slightly less hardy than the parent withvirtually no damage appearing after exposure to temperatures of -14° F.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety Euonymus fortunei which is abranch sport of the Corlutz variety, substantially as herein shown anddescribed, characterized particularly as to novelty by the uniquecombination of:(a) a substantially larger leaf size than both the parentand other known varieties of Euonymus fortunei, (b) a leaf colorationwhich is dark green with light to medium yellow margins and which issubstantially the same as that of the parent, (c) the propensity toexhibit no substantial leaf coloration change during the winter, (d) aleaf internode length which is on average approximately twice as long asthat of the parent, (e) a plant growth habit that is more open than thatof the parent, (f) an annual growth rate which is less than that of theparent as a young plant, but which is approximately equal to that of theparent as the plant reaches approximately four to five years of age, (g)the ability to thrive under a wide range of climatic conditions, and (h)the ability to be sheared within prescribed limits or shaped to aspecific form.